Award No. 17

Award No. 18

Award No. 19

Monday, October 31, 2011

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween. I want to go trick-or-treating! I actually did go one year as an adult. I'm short so I was able to pull it off. Plus I wore a mask so no one recognized me.

Last week, I asked why you blog. I said that if anyone was interested, I'd share why I do. No one asked but I figure it's only fair that I share my reasons since I asked for yours.

What seems like 87 bazillion years ago, some guy I'd been hanging out with told me he had a computer. They weren't as common back then as they are now. I went to his house and he showed me the internet. I found it interesting but wasn't really quite sure what to do with it. He showed me his email account and we checked out a chat room.

Awhile later, my mom got a brand new computer. Every once in awhile, she'd allow to me to play on it for a little bit. It never seemed long enough and before I knew it, she was telling me she needed it back.

Cut to awhile later - I had a boyfriend who helped me set up my first email account. I didn't get much email at first, most of what I did get came from him with an occasional one from a friend or two.

When I moved out on my own, I got my first computer for Christmas. At this point, I still wasn't sure what to do with it because I'd never been able to play around online for very long before. I was intimidated by it at first but it didn't take long before I'd pretty much figured out all the fun things I could do with it and I was HOOKED!!!

I got my first chi (Shiver) and googled "chihuahua" where I ran across my first dog blog. I read it several times a week and one day, I clicked on one of the blog owner's favorites links. It opened up a new blog, of course, and from there, I clicked on even more links.

I then decided I needed to create my own blog. Sadly, I quickly discovered I had nothing to say. After sitting dormant for a long time, I told myself I needed to either use it or delete it. Every once in awhile I would put up a new post but I never included pictures because I wasn't sure how to. For the most part, my posts were just about things that I discovered I liked, such as McDonald's Fruit Smoothies. Once, I posted about a pretty tree that I'd seen and liked.

I naively thought I'd have instant visitors and that everyone would be sure to comment. Yeah, that didn't happen! It took at least 6 months, probably even more, before anyone else actually checked out my blog. It finally hit me that if I left comments for other people, they might do the same for me. So that's what I did. The first few comments I left didn't lead to anyone coming to check out my blog.

However, I then ran across a blog from someone who had just adopted a chi. I commented and a day or so later, she not only commented on my blog, she was my very first follower! I was soooooo excited! But I also suddenly felt pressure.

I hadn't been blogging with any regularity and because I knew no one else was reading it, I didn't worry about whether or not it was interesting. I knew that if I wanted my one and only follower to stick around, that needed to change!

I wasn't sure what I could do to make it better or even where my place was in this blogging world. I decided to just check out as many blogs as I could and figure out what seemed to be working for them and what didn't. I left comments and slowly, I began to get more followers.

I noticed that blogs who hosted giveaways or swaps seemed to have a lot more followers so I held my very first Doggone Dog Swap 3 years ago and had 6 participants. It went well but I think I only got maybe one follower out of it. That didn't deter me though and I've hosted it every year since. Now I host it not to get followers but just because it's fun. I decided that when/if I ever get 100 followers, I would host a giveaway. That hasn't happened yet but I'm close.

Along the way, I've had a lot of fun. I've made some really wonderful friends, I've won some great giveaways, I've participated in various events, I've cried each and every time I hear of a beloved pet going over the rainbow bridge, I've prayed for people and pets who aren't doing as well as they might, I've laughed at other people's posts and at comments they've left me, I cried at a post someone wrote about me because it was just so sweet (I have it bookmarked so I can go back and read it whenever I want to) and I've appreciated all the wonderful comments people left me when my father passed away. Sadly, my friends IRL were not as supportive as you all were. It's not that they don't care, because I know they do. Some friends have never commented on it at all. That really hurts!

I've also had other bloggers who were kind enough to send me things. You know who you are and I appreciate every single one of you. Sometimes the things I got were for a specific purpose (Christmas, for example) and other times, they were sent for no reason at all. Thank you!

I haven't had very many bad experiences with blogging. I've had a couple of comments that I didn't exactly appreciate but no one has harassed me. I won 2 giveaways and never got the prizes. And one blogger, I blocked. Other than that, I'm so glad I got involved in it.

I'm still struggling to find my place in the bloggy world but I'm still here. I've been accepted by the dog blogs which I love but I also have a lot of followers who aren't involved in that world too. I'm not the best writer, I don't have the most popular blog and I may not have the most interesting things to say but I don't care, I'm here and I'm here to stay!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eyegirl originally started in June 2009. We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, I'm deciding to see the glass as half full instead of half empty; I'm choosing to concentrate on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives. The Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They're a list of the things in my life that have brought me happiness over the past week. I'm determined to find something good in each day. Are you?

For the next week, I'd like to challenge each of you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day. Be sure to link up here once you've posted your list! (This isn't a blog hop so please only link up if you've participated by posting your happy list. Thanks!)

~I'm happy because...

My new shoes are sooooo comfy! Oddly, they came with different size shoelaces which I didn't notice at the store since I ﻿only tried on one shoe.

I mowed my lawn for the last time this year!

My mom helped me and she didn't give me her usual endless lecture about how I really need to take better care of the yard.

I got lots of responses to my blogging questions!

My friend took me out for a belated birthday dinner and gave me some very nice gifts!

I got a B on my Government test!

*****

I didn't do nearly as well on my math test though. We had 4 practice tests we could do and I took them all. The last one I took, I got a 70% and felt confident that I'd do well on the real test. However, the day came to do it and I flunked it big time -- a 56%!!! I'm wondering what they'll do with me now.

*****

Thank you to everyone who answered my blogging questions! Some of you chose to email me and some of you answered in the comments. MaxMom sent me a really long email that I know ﻿must've taken her quite awhile to type out and Finn's mama did too! They both brought up some interesting points that I hadn't even really taken into consideration and really made me think.

On Monday, I'll tell you about why I blog! I figure it's only fair since you all shared your stories.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

I'm taking a Cultural Anthropology class because everyone raved about how great the teacher is last semester and how easy the class was because he lets us use notes for quizzes and exams. I thought it would be an easy A.

However, this semester seems to be a little different. Last semester, the final was optional. It doesn't seem like that's going to be the case this semester. Plus he's pissed that no one participates in class and not everyone does the weekly quizzes. I do the quizzes.

My professor has repeatedly told us it would behoove us to keep a journal discussing our culture. It's not a requirement but he strongly implied last week that there would something regarding this on the final and maybe even on the exam next week. He said it doesn't even necessarily have to be about culture as in your nationality -- it could something you're involved in such as a tattoo culture or theatre culture or dog breeding or anything really. I didn't really know what my culture was in that regards and then it finally hit me -- I'm part of the blogging culture!!!

I have a feeling that the final (or at least part of it!) is going to ask us to write an essay about enculturation and acculturation and how they apply to our own culture.

Acculturation is defined as culture/experiences taught by outside influences. Enculturation is culture/experiences taught by our own families/cultures.

So just out of curiosity, could you maybe tell me about how you got into blogging, what did you learn about it from family, what did you learn about it on your own, what did you learn from others, what got you started and why do you continue with blogging? Anything else you can think of would be helpful too. Basically, I just want to get an idea of why others do it to jump start my own thoughts and ideas. Plus, I can use this information in my own journal to discuss the culture as a whole.

I would greatly appreciate it and if you want, I can answer those questions as well if anyone is interested. You can leave your answers in the comments or email me @ everythingisbetterwithsprinkles1 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eyegirl originally started in June 2009. We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, I'm deciding to see the glass as half full instead of half empty; I'm choosing to concentrate on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives. The Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They're a list of the things in my life that have brought me happiness over the past week. I'm determined to find something good in each day. Are you?

For the next week, I'd like to challenge each of you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day. Be sure to link up here once you've posted your list! (This isn't a blog hop so please only link up if you've participated by posting your happy list. Thanks!)

~I'm happy because...

I've only heard my noisy neighbors one day this week! They spent hours and hours hanging out in their yard that day but at least I only had to deal with them for one day!

I got to sit or most of my shift at work on Wednesday and amazingly, it actually seemed to go quickly for once! I swear that all time stops the moment I walk through the door to start my shift! lol

I made chocolate chip cookies yesterday! And I still have some left!!!

It only rained once this week!

I figured out how to block a follower who pissed me off! Normally, I would only encourage followers but she was the rare exception!

I'm going to buy new sneakers after work today! I'm especially excited about this because my old ones are all worn out and hurt now. That's why I'm so happy I got to sit for most of Wednesday's shift. Normally I have to stand and walk around.

***Sorry if this picture offends anyone but this is truly how I feel about math!

So in math class, we have to do these assessments every 10 hours or 20 problems we complete, whichever comes first. This means about an assessment test once a week for me. We're not supposed to use our notes but I always do. If you get a problem wrong, you have to retake the whole section all over again - even if it's multiple problems and you only get one wrong! Last week's assessment set me back 20 sections. Yes, 20!!! I already had over 50 sections to get through before the end of the week so this was very upsetting to have another 20 added on and I knew there was no way I could catch up. I had another assessment this week and it set me back another 10!!! I was ROYALLY ticked!!!

I talked to the professor on Wednesday and she said she was going to schedule my first exam for next week. I told her I was going to have to retake the test next semester anyway since I'm already so far behind everyone else and that I didn't see how I was ever going to catch up. She was adamant that I'm going to get through this semester and move on to the next math class. I almost started crying when I told her I just didn't see that happening. This is the only class I'm struggling in and I can't afford a tutor. The only one I could find for under $20 an hour never called me back, even though I left 2 messages.

The school does offer free tutoring for math as well as a couple of other classes but I go to school, eat a quick lunch and go to work. By the time I get off work, I'm tired after a very long day and ready to go home. Plus, it's not like math is the only class I have homework in. I can't just focus all my attention on math. I've been told that the math tutoring center isn't that great. It's apparently pretty full at all hours and that you sometimes have to wait an extended period of time to get someone to help you.

My professor said she's going to try to see if she can get some kind of extension for me. I'm not sure how I feel about this. In some ways, I'm thrilled she's going out of her way to help me. On the other hand, I just want to do as much as I can this semester and retake it next semester. Since I'll have already taken it once, it should be slightly easier.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eyegirl originally started in June 2009. We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, I'm deciding to see the glass as half full instead of half empty; I'm choosing to concentrate on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives. The Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They're a list of the things in my life that have brought me happiness over the past week. I'm determined to find something good in each day. Are you?

For the next week, I'd like to challenge each of you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day. Be sure to link up here once you've posted your list! (This isn't a blog hop so please only link up if you've participated by posting your happy list. Thanks!)

~I'm happy because...

I'm taking the annual home tour today! I LOVE this tour!!!

I learned my crush's name! :)

I did my speech early for Communication 101 so for the next week, I can just sit back and relax while the rest of the class does theirs. And this speech was the reason I learned my crush's name! :)

I got lots of birthday wishes this week! Thanks to everyone who sent them.

While I didn't appreciate being called into work on my day off, I'll appreciate the extra money!

The rain finally seems to have stopped!

I saw a beautiful patch of rainbow this week! It wasn't very tall but it was wide and very vibrant.

I meant to post this yesterday but I was busy, busy, busy on Thursday trying to prepare my speech (which I left to the last minute!) and didn't have time. And then yesterday I wasn't feeling so hot. I kept telling myself it was nerves from having to do the speech - I'm sooooooo not a public speaker! But I couldn't seem to shake it, even after. When I got home from work, I checked and it turns out I had a low grade fever. I really think I have a sinus infection and need to make an appointment to get some antibiotics.

I'm so excited for the tour of homes this afternoon! I love going, even if I feel slightly depressed afterwards that my house isn't nearly as nice as the ones on the tour. I haven't been able to go for the past few years because it's the same weekend one of my volunteer activities has a big retreat. I was supposed to go this year too but told the head chairperson that I couldn't make it.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Monday, October 10, 2011

Flat George hung out with me at school again and had much more fun this time! We got enough pix for two posts. His tail is still missing, poor thing!

Back in the day, this bell used to be freestanding. It was brought to all the football games and someone would ring it any time the home team made a touchdown. It was stolen several times by a rival college a few towns over so finally they put it here. It's nowhere near the football field now.

Click to enlarge. This is a tribute to 9/11.

These are pictures of the seismograph machine which shows earthquakes all over the world. That hand in the second picture belongs to some guy who offered to hold George for me. He didn't even look at me weird like some other people did when they saw me taking pix of Flat George all over campus.

Here we are taking a break between classes and work. George insisted we check his favorite blog!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Monday, October 3, 2011

Yes, another one. I'm working on something different for next Monday though. Remember my adventures with Flat George? Well, he's been hanging out with me at school again this semester and we've been having a great time taking pix all over campus. I'm hoping to have that post ready next Monday.

1) You're out to eat a nice birthday dinner with your family when the waiting staff marches out from the back room with a cake. With everyone around singing happy birthday, you decide this is the moment to make that life-changing announcement you've been considering. What is it?

Uh.......that I'm gonna become a porn star?! Nah, probably that I was going to move to NY. I don't know why but I've always wanted to live there. It's probably not nearly as glamorous as I like to imagine it to be.

2) What's the last movie you rented? Was it any good?

I don't remember so it obviously wasn't that great or it'd be much more memorable!

3) What holiday annoys you the most?

It used to be Thanksgiving. I don't know why but this one seemed to annoy me the most. Probably because my mom spent all day cooking and I spent the day trying to be invisible so I wouldn't have to help. We'd eat and then I'd have to help clean up. Not my idea of a good time.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

This reminds me of my father because he was in the military. He didn't go to West Point as pictured here though. I wonder what they're doing in this picture and where they're going.